Discriminator for vending-machines.



No. 759,268. PATENTED MAY 10, 1902i'.

J'. J. GREEN.

DISGRMINATOR FOR VENDING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION FILED Ayn. 7. 190s.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

s 606117594 F92- 3 m l /I l 1h52 l j?" I2 V'znn LITHD WASHINGION D C No. 759,268. i PATENTED MAY 1o, 1904. J.J.GREBN.

DISGRIMINATOR FOR VENDING MACHINES.

APPLIOATION FILED APR. v. 190s.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 24 F551. .9, l ig. 13 5 t J5 fa ,3

finesses/ Invenor; W John J.' Green,

@ills #ila/ggg UNiTED STATES Patented May 10, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

DISCRIMINATOR FOR VENDING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,268, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed April 7, 1903. Serial No. 151,449. (No model.)

Be it known that I, JOHN J. GREEN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Boonton, in the county of Morris and State oi' New Jersey, have invented certain new and usei'ul Improvements in Discriminators for Vending- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to mechanism desig'ned to lock coin controlled machines ag'ainst the reception of slugs, blanks, coins ot improper denominations, and, in fact, any object or article other than the proper coin or token.

The present discriminator comprises as one of its elements a coin-slot, (and in using the term coin a token of the proper nature is likewise included) the dimensions of which slot conform substantially to the corresponding maximum cross-sectional dimensions of the proper coin, whereby coins and objects either of whose dimensions exceed that oi' the correspondingdimension of the proper coin are prevented from being inserted.

Another feature of the present discriminator includes a coin-slot closure disposed at the rear of the coin-slot and etfective to prevent the entrance of the object which it is attempted to insert unless such object be the proper coin. The organization issuch that in this latter event the closure is displaced from its normal locking position to a suiiicient extent to permit the coin to pass into the ma chine. The coin-slot closure is controlled by the operation of suitable tumblers or latches, whose movements are in turn determined the dimensions of the object inserted through the coin-slot.

lfn the operation oit' a discriminator constructed in accordance with the present improvements the slug, &c., which is inserted into the coin-slot is prevented by the discriminating action of the mechanism from passing into the machine--that is, beyond the coinslot. In fact, the object instead of passing inward and clogging the action of the machine is forcibly ejected when the prcssureof the persons finger thereon is removed.

ln the drawings accompanying the present specification there is set forth an embodiment oi the present invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevational view, a portion of the cover-plate of the inclosing casing being' removed. Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the plane of the line a a, Fig. l, looking' in the direction of the arrow adjacent to that line. Fig. is an elevation of the inclosing casing, showing the coin-slot. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the plane bf the line b looking in the direction of the arrow adjacent to that line. Fig. 5 shows elevational side and edge views of the swinging coin-closure comprised in the present construction. Fig. 6 sets forth similar views of one tumbler and its swinging arm of a pair of the same disposed diametrically opposite each other. Fig. 7 sets forth similar views of the other tumbler and tumbler-arm of said diametricallyopposite pair. Fig'. 8 sets forth similar views Vof the main tumbler and tumbler-arm. whose position determines the locked or unlocked condition oi the swinging coinclosure. Figs. 9 and lO are views similar to Fig. 1, Fig. 9 illustrating' the position assumed by the parts after a proper coin has been forced some distance through the coin-slot and Fig. 10 illustrating the position of the parts when the coin-closure has been unlocked and caused to swing outward away from the coinslot, thereby permitting the coin to enter and drop downward on the inside of the slot. Fig. l1 is a view similar to Fig'. 1, illustrating the locking action oi the mechanism which operates to prevent the reception by the machine of a slug or other object having diameter less than that of the proper coin.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts in all iigures.

The mechanism may be inclosed in anj7 suitable casing-sucln for instance, as that illus? trated in the present drawings and comprising4 a supporting-plate 2, uponf which the various parts of the mechanism are mounted.

From this supporting-plate there extends aY laterally-projecting flange 3 around the major portion of its border, while an escutcheonplate t, having a coin-slot 5, is also provided at one end oi the supporting-plate. A detachable cover-plate 6 may be secured over the space inclosed by the bordering flange by means such as screws 60. T he coin after its entrance into the casing through the coin- Vrelease the closure and permit it to move out of its locking position. The shiftable coinslot closure may conveniently be mounted for a swinging movement, and in this instance the coin-slot closure 9 (see Fig. 5) is pivotally mounted upon the supporting-plate of the casing in a position to swing toward and away from the coin-slot 5. It should here be stated that the length and width of the coinslot are substantially equal, respectively, to the diameter and width of the coin which it is proposed shall be used for controlling the operation of the machine, and hence all objects having a dimension larger than either of these will be precluded from entering the slot. Correspondingly, the coin-slot closure may be provided with a coin-socket 10 whose bottom wall substantially conforms in contour to the outline of the portion of the coin insertible into the socket through the slot. If such be the construction and relation, and it being premised that proper tumblers, to be hereinafter described, are mounted upon the coin-slot closure, when the proper coin has been pushed inward to substantially bring its periphery in contact with the bottom of the socket in the closure the tumblers will have been shifted the proper distance to unlock the closure and permit it to swing inward away from the coin-slot.

The particular illustrated mounting for the' coin-slot closure comprises pivot portions 11 11, extending laterally from the closure, one of such pivot portions being seated in a pivotopening in the supporting-plate 2 of the casing and the other pivot portion engaging with a pivot-opening in an overhanging bracket 12, secured by a screw 13 to the supporting-plate.

The main tumbler-arm is designated by 141, the same being mounted upon the coin-slot closure by 'a pivot-pin 15 passing through a pivot-opening 16 in the tumbler and secured in an opening 17 in the closure. This arm carries a tongue or tumbler proper, 1 8, adapted to pass inward through a slot 19 at the rear of the closure and having a width of face such that it extends entirely across the coin-socket in the closure. The tumbler-arm is maintained in a position in which the tongue 18 is thrustinward the full depth of the slot 19 by spring-pressure. (See the spring 20, secured to the tumbler and bearing againsta stop-pin 21 on a projection of the coin-slot closure.) W' hen the tumbler is in this position, the closure is locked from inward-swinging movement by a locking-face 22, formed by the rear edge of the tumbler-arm and which is adapted to impinge against a locking-pin 23, mounted upon a shiftable member 24, shown as a gravity-lever pivoted by a pin 25. The inward movement of a coin forces back the tongue 18, swings the arm outward against the tension of its spring 20, and causes the locking-face 22 to slide over the locking-pin 23. During this movement the tension of the spring 2O is continually increased until as the edge of the locking-face 22 slides under the locking-pin the stored energy of the spring, reacting against the coin, is free to swing the closure backward and permit the coin (assuming that the tongue 18 has been thrust backward so that its end is brought substantially to the bottom of the coin-socket in the closure) to drop. The stored energy of the spring thus causes the closure to flybackward, the pin 23 during this backward movement riding along the edge 26 of the tumbler-arm, since the lever 24, being free to rise upward against gravity, does not retard this movement of the closure. The mechanism so far described would not, however, prevent the unlocking of the coin-closure by a long but narrow object inserted through the coin-slot, and in order, therefore, to preclude the inserted object from dropping into the machine unless it has the proper dimension lengthwise of the coin-slot (corresponding to a proper diameter of coin) a supplemental tumbler is employed, which protrudes into the coin-socket of the closure, preferably at a point substantially at right angles to the location of the tumbler 18 of the tumbler-arm 14. In other words, the location of this supplemental tumbler is adjacent to the bottom of the coin-socket. The tumbler portion proper of this supplemental tumbler is illustrated in F ig. 6 and designated by 27, the same projecting from a tumbler arm or lever 28, mounted by a pivot-pin 29 passing through an opening' 30 in the tumbler-lever and engaging with an opening 31 in the coin-slot closure. The tumbler portion 27 projects laterally acres sthe path of the lower edge of the coin and works in a cut-away portion 32 of the closure, being held yieldingly in position to cause the inserted coin to impinge against it by a spring' 33, secured to the lever and bearing against the said pin 21. It will be noticed, particularly in Fig. 6, that the tumbler portion proper comprises comparatively narrow ribs 34, separated by intervening slots or channels 35. These ribs and slots are so related to the coin-slot that anything of a width narrower than the width IOO IIO

of the coin-slot--that is, of aV proper coinwill lit into a slot of the tumbler, and hence the tumbler-lever will not be swung upon its pivot when a thin slug, Sac., is inserted to the amount which it will be by an ob ject of greater width and which impinges against the edge of a rib instead of entering an intervening slot. By this means a blank, coin, or slug, even though it be of the same diamete as the proper coin, will, if of less thickness, bc inelfective to fully rock the tumbler and unlock the coin-slot closure in a manner to be described. Pivotally mounted upon the tumbler-lever 28 is a detent 36, which is in this instance caused by gravity to take a position in which it rests against a stop-pin, in this instance formed by the head of the aforesaid pivot-pin 29. The relation of this gravity-detent to the parts already described is such that even though the main tumbler-arm 14 be swung against the tension.

of its spring sufliciently to release its locking'- face from the locking-pin 23, yet if the tumbler 27 has not been forced downward to its fullest extent (as by a coin of the proper diameter) the detent 36 will remain in a position to engage with the locking-pin 23 as it moves off the locking-face on the tumbler-arm 14, the detent having in this case a notched portion 37 to insure its lockingengagement with the pin.

Although the mechanism hereinbefore described is operative to discriminate and prevent the entrance into the machine of anything1 excepting the proper coin or an exact facsimile thereofl in form and dimensions, l prefer to combine with the mechanism a secondary or safety tumbler device designed to insure the continued proper operation of the mechanism already described in the event that it is attempted by rapid vibration of the slugs, Sac., back and forth in the coin-slot or by forcibly shaking the machine or by other acts force the machine to receive other than the proper coin. This device comprises a tumbler proper, 38, constructed as to its operative or coin-contacting edge like the tumbler 27 and embodying ribs 39 and intervening` Aslots 40. This tumbler plays in a cut-away portion 4l of the coin-closure and across the path of the inserted coin and is carried by a tumblerlever 42, pivoted by a fulcrLun-pin 43, secured in an opening 44 in the closure. A spring 45 maintains the tumbler in its coin-contacting position, while the op positeend of the tumblerlever is adapted to cooperate with a stoppin 46 on a gravity-lever 47 similar to the lever 24 and pi voted by a pin 48 to the suppm'ting-plate 2 of the casing. The tumbler 38 is disposed diamctrically opposite the tumbler 27, and if an object of such dimensions is forced into the coin-slot as will not swing' both these tumblers away from each other to the proper designed extent not only will the stop-pin 23 operate to prevent the passage inward of the object,

but the stop-pin 46, by the impingement of the end face of the tumbler-lever 42 against it, will likewise operate to prevent the outward swing of the coin-closure. A notch 49 is preferably formed in the rear edge of the tumbler-lever, into which the stop-pin 46 en-n cured by screws 52 to the supperting-plate 2.

Proper limiting-stops for liniitingthe motion of the gravity-levers 24 and 47 may also be provided, an upper lin'iiting-stop 53 for the lower lever and a lower limiting-stop 54 for the upper lever being' shown, the lowerniost position of the lever 24 being' determined as the mechanism is here constructed by the contact thereof with the bent portion of the bracket 51.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that if a thin blank, slug, te., be inserted in the coin-slot it will, by entering' a slot 35 of the tumbler 27 and aslot 40 of the tumbler 38, be ineffective to spread the tumblers sui'liciently far apart to unlock the detent 36 and the tumbler-lever 42 from the stop-pins 23 and 46, respectively, even though the lockingface of the tumbler 14 be withdrawn from the stop-pin 23. In fact, and as apparent from the foregoing' description, an object save one having the exact dimensions of the proper coin cannot be caused to pass inward to the machine. /Vhen a coin of the properdimensions is forced into the coin-slot, the tumbler-arm 14 is depressed, withdrawing its locking-.face from the stop-pin 23. Simultaneously with this movement the tumblers 27 and 38 arc spread sulliciently far apart to draw the detent 36 away from the stop-pin 23 and to cause the tumbler-lever 42 to take a position in which the elongated slot 50 therein is brought opposite the stop-pin 42. As the stoppin 23 slides off the locking-face 22 the cnergy stored in the springs, as aforesaid, is free to swing the slot-closure backward and permit the coin to enter the machine, the gravitylevers 24 and 47 at the same time swinging up ward after the coin has passed downward, and the coin-closure as well as thc gravity-levers are free to return to their normal positions.

Having thus ydescribed my invention, 1 claim- 1. In a discriminator of the character specilied, a coin-slot closure disposed at the rear of the coin-slot, combined with mechanism for locking the closure in its slot-closing position, said mechanism embodying means for exert- IXO ing a spring tension to thereby forcibly eject, upon the release of the individuals finger, an improper object inserted in the coin-slot.

2. In a discriminator of the character specified, a shiftable coin-slot closure disposed at the rear of the coin-slot, combined with mechanism for locking the closure against movement, said mechanism embodying means for exerting a spring tension to thereby forcibly eject, upon the release of the individuals iinger, an improper object inserted in the coinslot.

3. In a discriminator of the character specified, a coin-slot closure pivoted at the rear of the coin-slot combined with mechanism for locking the closure in its slot-closing position, said mechanism embodying means for exerting a spring tension to thereby forcibly eject, upon the release of the individuals finger, an improper object inserted in the coin-slot.

4. In a discriminator of the character specified, a coin-slot closure shiftable away from its slot-closing position by the insertion of a proper object, combined with a locking device comprising a tumbler disposed in the path of the inserted object, and a tumbler-returning spring' whereby, upon the release of the individuals finger, an improper object inserted in the coin-slot is forcibly ejected.

5. In a discriminator of the character specified, a coin-slot closure shiftable away from its slot-closing position by the insertion of a proper object, combined with a locking device comprising a tumbler carried by the closure and disposed in the path of the inserted object, and a tumbler-returning spring whereby, upon the release of the individuals finger, an improper object inserted in the coin-slot is forcibly ejected.

6. In a discriminator of the character specified, a shiftable coin-slot closure combined with a tumbler, a tumbler-lever provided with a locking-face, and a stop cooperative with said face and out of engagement with which stop said locking-face is shifted by the pressure of the individuals finger on the inserted coin.

7. In a discriminator of the character described, a shiftable coin-slot closure combined with a tumbler, a tumbler-lever provided with a locking-face, a stop cooperative with such face, and a shiftable arm or lever on which the stop is carried.

8. In a discriminator of the character specified,ashiftable coin-slot closure combined with a tumbler, a tumbler-lever mounted on the closure and provided with a locking-face, a spring for maintaining the tumbler-lever in the coin-contacting position of the tumbler, and a stop cooperative with the locking-face on the tumbler-lever.

9. In adiscriminator of the character specified, a pivoted coin-slot closure combined with a tumbler, a tumbler-lever mounted on the closure and provided with a locking-face, a spring for maintaining' the tumbler-lever in the coincontacting position of the tumbler, a stop cooperative with the locking-face on the tum- I bler-lever, and an arm or lever on which said stop is carried.

10. In a discriminator of the character specified, a shiftable coin-slot closure combined with locking means comprising a pair of tumblers disposed substantially diametrically opposite each otherfor locking the closure again st movement.

11. In adiscriminator of the character specified, a coin-slot closure combined with locking means comprising a pair of tumblers disposed substantially diametricall y opposite each other and a tumbler adapted to contact with the most advanced portion of the inserted coin.

12. In a discriminator of the character specified, the combination with a shiftable coin-slot closure, of locking means comprising a plurality of tumblers separate from said closure vand one at least of which has an operative or coin-contacting face made up of alternating ribs and channels.

13. In a discriminator of the character specilied, the combination with a shiftable coin-slot closure of a pair of tumblers disposed diametrically opposite each other and separate from said closure and each having an operative or coin-contacting face made up of alternating ribs and channels.

14C. In a discriminator of the character speciiied, the combination with a shiftable coin-slot closure of a pair of diametrically-opposed tumblers separate from said closure and each having an operative or coin-contacting face made up of alternating ribs and channels.

15. In a discriminator of the character specified, the combination with a coin-slot closure of a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the vertical diameter thereof, and a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof.

16. In a discriminator of the character speciiied, the combination with a coin-slot closure of a tumbler provided with an operative or coin-contacting' face made up of alternating ribs and channels and adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the vertical diameter thereof, and a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof.

17. In a discriminator of the character specified, the combination with a coin-slot closure of a tumbler provided with an operative or coin-contacting face made up of alternating ribs and channels and adapted to Contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the vertical diameter thereof, a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which the last-mentioned IIO ISO

tumbler is carried and which is provided with a locking-tace, and a stop cooperative with said tace.

18. In a discriminator of the character speciled, the combination with a coin-slot closure oil a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity oi. the horizontal diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which said tumbler is carried and which is provided with a lockingface, a shittable stop cooperative with said face, a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion ot the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the vertical diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which the latter tumbler is carried, and a detent shiftable by the movement ot the latter-mentioned tumbler from a position in which it cooperates with said stop to lock the closure to a position in which it does not so cooperate.

19. In a discriminator ot' the character speciiied, the combination with a coin-slot closure ot a tumblerI adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which said tumbler is carried and which is provided with a lockingtace, a shiftable stop cooperative with said face, a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the vertical diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which the latter tumbler is carried, a detent carried by said latter-inentioned tumbler-lever, and springs for maintaining said levers in position to cause the respective tumblers to cooperate with the inserted coin.

20. In a discriminator of the character speciiied, the combinationwith a coin-slot closure oi a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which said tumbler is carried and which is provided with a locking'- t'ace, a shit'table stop cooperative with said face, a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the coin adjacent to the extremity of the vertical diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which the latter tumbler is carried, a detent shi'ltable by the movement oi' the latter-mentioned tumbler from a position .in which it cooperates with said stop to lock the closure to a position in which it does not so cooperate, and a supplemental tumbler device.

Q1. In a discriminator of the character speciiied, the combination with a coin-slot closure ot' a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity or' the horizontal diameter thereof, a tumbler-lever on which said tumbler is carried and which is provided With a lockingface, a shiftable stop cooperative with said face, a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion of the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the Vertical diameter thereof, a

tumbler-lever on which the latter tumbler is carried, a detent carried by said latter-mentioned tumbler-lever, springs for maintaining said levers in a position to cause the respective tumblers to cooperate with the inserted coin, and a supplemental tumbler device.

Q2. In a discriminator oi' the character specilied, the combination with a pivoted coin-slot closure oiE a tumbler adapted to contact with the portion oi the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof, a lever on which said tumbler is carried and which is mounted on said closure and provided with a locking-tace, a shi'l'table stop cooperative with said locking-tace, a pair of supplemental tumblers disposed diametrically opposite each other and substantially at rig-ht angles to the lirst-mentioned tumbler, tumbler-levers on which said supplemental tumblers are carried and which are mounted on said closure, a detent shiiitable by the movement of one or' said tumbler-levers from a position in which it cooperates with said stop to prevent the movement of the closure to a position in which it does not so cooperate, a shiftable stop cooperative with the tumblerlever of the othersupplementaltumbler-lever and which is adapted to entera cut-away portion of the lever upon a proper movement ot' the tumbler, and springs for maintaining,r the respective tumblers in their coin-contacting' positions.

23. In a discriminator oi' the character speciiied, the combination with a pivoted coin-slot closure oi' a tumbler adapted to contact with 100 the portion ot' the inserted coin adjacent to the extremity of the horizontal diameter thereof, a lever on which said tumbler is carried and which is mounted on said closure and provided with a locking-tace, a shiftable stop IOS cooperative with said locking-tace, a pair of supplemental tumblers disposed diametrically opposite each other and substantially at right angles to the hist-mentioned tumblers, tumbler-levers on which said supplemental tum- 110 prevent the movement of the closure to a posii* tion in which it does not so cooperate, ashiftable stop cooperative with the tumbler-lever of the other supplemental tumbler and which is adapted to enter a cut-away portion of the lever upon a proper movement oi the tumbler and springs tor maintaining the respective tumblers in their coin-contacting, position, said supplemental tumblers having` slotted operative or coin-contacting faces.

Signed at Nos. 9 to 15 Murray street, New 125 York, N. Y., this 6th day of April, 1903.

JOHN J. GREEN. Vitnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, JOHN (l. Sumner. 

